Productivity Tools and Professional Learning NetworksDiscover how to stay organized, save time, and learn from colleagues near and far by creating your own professional learning network.
Nuts and Bolts: Building a Personal Learning Network
Jane Bozarth writes:“Simply showing up is not enough. As with most things in life, you get back what you put in. If you want to build a Personal Learning Network, then you must be an active part of that network; it’s not a spectator sport.”
Online learning is so last year...
Sheryl Nussbaum-Beach writes: "It is becoming ever apparent to me that those of us who are online learning prefer networks. Networks like we have on Twitter or other electronic spaces where we can share short snips of conversations and where our ideas are met with like minded support and agreement. The advantages of networking are many. And do not get me wrong- I am a huge fan. I believe Personal Learning Networks are one of the three prongs necessary to be a do it yourself learner in today’s world. But for all the positive connections, laughter, links, and ideas that networks bring, they only are the tip of what is needed to produce lasting change. I do not have to commit to anything when I network. I can be witty or not and still be part of the “cool kids”. Networks are very “me” centered in that I choose my mentors, feeds, resources, learning objects and those with whom I will learn. I am in control. I can be very visible and yet still quite passive in my learning. I can talk and talk and talk and never have to walk or put action to my ideas. I even get my need for belonging met (Maslow) and self esteem. And sometimes I meet others and from there we create a community where we do act collectively. For me, that is the key. If all I do is network I do not shift or grow because I am missing the opportunity to go deep and actually learn by doing. It takes both: Networks and Community. Online, global communities of practice and f2f learning communities in my local context." Evaluation
Table of Contents
The Big Picture
National Ed Tech Plan 2010 recommends the development of learning networks for both students and teachers.
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So what does a networked teacher look like?
Image used under a Creative Commons License.
Created by Silvia Rosenthal Tolisano: Langwitches www.langwitches.org/blog
Globally Connected Learning www.globallyconnectedlearning.com
Langwitches-21st century learning and teaching
http://www.flickr.com/photos/langwitches/3458534773/in/set-72157605083562304/
Creating your network
Organizing your resources online:
delicious or diigo
Your just-in-time support network:
Twitter
edmodo - microblogging in the classroom - easy to share files, assignments, etc. too
Online Community:
Macul Space
Classroom 2.0
Discovery Educator Network
Productivity Utilities
File Format Converter
YouConvertIt
Remote File Storage (and file sharing)
Dropbox
Did you know? You can use Google Docs to store, share, collaborate and convert files too!
Screen Capture and Screen Casting Utility
Jing
Video Capture Utility
Real Player
KeepVid
Read more about building a PLN
Nuts and Bolts: Building a Personal Learning NetworkJane Bozarth writes:“Simply showing up is not enough. As with most things in life, you get back what you put in. If you want to build a Personal Learning Network, then you must be an active part of that network; it’s not a spectator sport.”
Online learning is so last year...
Sheryl Nussbaum-Beach writes: "It is becoming ever apparent to me that those of us who are online learning prefer networks. Networks like we have on Twitter or other electronic spaces where we can share short snips of conversations and where our ideas are met with like minded support and agreement. The advantages of networking are many. And do not get me wrong- I am a huge fan. I believe Personal Learning Networks are one of the three prongs necessary to be a do it yourself learner in today’s world. But for all the positive connections, laughter, links, and ideas that networks bring, they only are the tip of what is needed to produce lasting change. I do not have to commit to anything when I network. I can be witty or not and still be part of the “cool kids”. Networks are very “me” centered in that I choose my mentors, feeds, resources, learning objects and those with whom I will learn. I am in control. I can be very visible and yet still quite passive in my learning. I can talk and talk and talk and never have to walk or put action to my ideas. I even get my need for belonging met (Maslow) and self esteem. And sometimes I meet others and from there we create a community where we do act collectively. For me, that is the key. If all I do is network I do not shift or grow because I am missing the opportunity to go deep and actually learn by doing. It takes both: Networks and Community. Online, global communities of practice and f2f learning communities in my local context."
Evaluation